A Sutton charity shop worker who was diagnosed with lung cancer is determined to give back to those who helped her beat it.

Despite having arthritis, Edith ‘Eve’ Collier is walking two hours for five days this week in a bid to raise money for Cancer Research UK.

The 77-year-old, who works in one of the charity’s shops in Sutton High Street, is using a treadmill at the SWEAT! Gym in the St Nicholas Centre to raise funds.

Mrs Collier was diagnosed with stage two lung cancer back in May 2016, but after having 25 sessions of radiotherapy it was declared “100 per cent in remission”.

She said: “I do it because I'm giving back what they gave back to me, and that's been my life.

“It was frightening because I only went to my doctor - I had a cough - they sent me for an X-ray and they found a five centimetre growth in my lung, on the left-hand side.

“I had 25 sessions of radiotherapy every day - except for the weekends - and it shrunk, now I'm in 100 per cent remission. They never say “cured” - they can't because there's always a 10 per cent chance it could come back - but if they can do it for me they can do it for others.

“By raising money I'm putting back in of what I took out because it cost thousands for my treatment, so I'm trying to put some of it back.”

Mrs Collier, who has had arthritis for the past 15 years, admits the fundraising effort is “challenging” because of the condition but remains determined to see it through.

After each session she is going back to work in the Cancer Research UK shop where she has worked five days a week since it reopened following a flooding.

She added: “I enjoy it because it keeps your mind active when you're coming up to 78. I'm 78 this year [in September] and it keeps your mind active, doesn't it?

“It gives you something to focus on rather than doing nothing - sitting in doors and vegetating. I intend to get my telegram off the queen or king – whoever is on the throne then – so I've only got 23 years to go to get it!

“If I can do it, and I can be in 100 per cent remission, then it gives hope to others.”

You can donate to Eve's fundraising cause at SWEAT! Sutton in the St Nicholas Centre until Friday (February 15) this week where she has a donations box near the entrance.